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THE FIRST CAR I Uh
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The blending of Italian and German is a superb thing.
The blending of Italian and German is a superb
thing. The R8 hugs curves better than anything from
a Victoria s Secret catalog. But where supercars are
notoriously stressful to drive, the R8 is not it s com
fortable, quiet and smooth. Yet with a click of the Audi 1
Magnetic Ride button, it transforms into a corner de
vouring mid engine exotic that senses every nuance of
the road. Unlike the Gallardo s semiautomatic e gear,
which can sometimes do the herky jerky in a parking
lot, the R8 s transmission software is seamless and
almost as good as Audi s much praised dual clutch
system. At other times it s better. Unlike Audi s dual
clutch S tronic formerly DSG , the R8 s R tronic
will happily hit the rev limiter in manual mode. An
n
n
Potent V makes for a tidy package. Clearly there
is space for a larger engine, or eventurbocharging.
Teardrop gauges are good
looking and easy to read.
Head room is not in short supply as the curved roof
lends itself to a cavernous interior. Plan view shows
the diagonal running prop shaft and twin gas tanks.
interesting tidbit about the engine is that it allows a A character. The low polar moment means it changes
250 rpm overrev beyond the 8000 rpm limit, but only directions easily. With stability control off, the R8
in the first three gears. This helps because the engine is incredibly predictable at the limit. There is no fear
revs so quickly that it s easy to touch the limiter in the of the snap oversteer we sometimes associate with
lower gears at full acceleration. mid engine exotics. The tendency for the R8 to push
The engine is sinfully smooth. In a manual trans the front end slightly gives the driver great confi
mission car, I was surprised to find the gated shift dence, and mid corner line adjustments are executed
lever from the Gallardo.